Manly and Samoan hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong made the most of a chance poolside encounter with another NRL star.
Sua Fa’alogo scored one of the great tries that wasn’t on his Test debut against Australia. His Storm mentor says it isn’t the first time he’s produced a superb solo effort.
The Kangaroos opened their Pacific Championships campaign with a 36-12 defeat of Samoa,but it was the Pacific nation’s debutant fullback Sua Fa’alogo who lit up Townsville.
It’s a bumper day of international rugby league with the Australian men’s and women’s teams both in action in Townsville.
With Jarome Luai injured,the Panthers centre will wear the No.6 jersey against Australia - but Samoa coach Ben Gardiner is adamant it’s no selection gamble.
The Panthers star,who suffered a knock early in the grand final,will learn the extent of the injury when he has scans this week.
The Panthers have less than a month to stop Jarome Luai hitting the open market,but there’s one thing they won’t be able to avoid after he aggravated a shoulder injury during the grand final.
Another clash between the sides,which met in last year’s decider in Manchester,is being pitched as part of a revival of the “Four Nations” concept.
The Roosters youngster left the World Cup with a backpack and returned home with a couple of extra names and billing as a Samoan chief.
Samoa coach Matt Parish said Crichton should have been sent off for his hit on Chanel Harris-Tavita in the World Cup final. But a loophole means the Roosters star won’t miss a single competition match.
Big Marty Taupau is set to enter the new year without a deal,because interested clubs still have no idea how much they have to spend in the salary cap.